Monday, July 15, 2013

Trayvon Martin protests, Over 300 people marched through the streets of Los Angeles on Sunday evening protesting the not guilty verdict in the George Zimmerman case.

The Los Angeles Police Department called a citywide tactical alert after the swarm of protestors took over the 10 East freeway entrance between Crenshaw/Adams and Crenshaw/Washington.

The police parked at least five squad cars and dispersed on riot gear to break up the protest near Washington Boulevard inside The Washington Square Shopping Center. Witnesses say officers shot rubber bullets into the crowd hitting at least one known protestor in an attempt to disband the crowd.

The tactic worked momentarily as the crowd ran for protection but the crowd has yet to stop.

The California Highway Patrol said "police activity" around the 10 Freeway and Crenshaw Boulevard caused traffic jams and warned motorists to steer clear of the area.

Protesters marched on the freeway in between cars almost reaching the Arlington freeway exit before being cut off by 10-15 police officers in riot gear who were regulating the activity.

The Los Angeles Times reported that no arrests have been made, and no one was injured. Sources from the L.A. Police Department said a splinter group of a larger protest walked down an onramp to the 10 Freeway and stood mostly in the eastbound lanes.

Zimmerman was accused of killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in last February in Sanford, Fla. and was acquitted of all charges on Saturday by an all female jury.

San Francisco and Oakland are also facing street closures as hundreds gather in protest of George Zimmerman's acquittal.